510 Tidbits: Cafe Valparaiso, Café La Peña, and Brazil Café, and More

Some ABC license activity pointed to the opening of ~CAFE VALPARAISO~ in a new location (1403 Solano Ave. in Albany), serving their variety of empanadas, and Chilean sandwiches and entrées. Meanwhile ~CAFÉ LA PEÑA~ has opened in Valparaiso’s previous location in the La Peña Cultural Center. 3105 Shattuck Ave. at Berkeley.

Another switcheroo: ~BRASA~ in Berkeley (the rotisserie chicken place from Veronica and Christopher Laramie) is closing at the end of the month, and ~BRAZIL CAFÉ~ will be moving in (via Scoop). 1960 University Ave. at Milvia, Berkeley.

A reader wrote in to tell me ~LOCAL CAFÉ~ next door to Adesso had closed, and moving in will be ~SLICER PIZZERIA~, a venture from Colin Etezadi (Boot & Shoe, Pizzaiolo, Camino) that will serve affordable but quality pizza (via Scoop). 4395 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley.

Vegetarian wine-and-tapas joint ~ENCUENTRO CAFE AND WINE BAR~ is moving into a larger location in Jack London Square and plans to open this November, according to Eater. Both locations will remain open—the original (200 2nd St.) will be more of a wine-and-beer bar working with a smaller menu. 550 2nd St. at Clay, Oakland.

And in the bummer news department, a tablehopper reader writes in to let me know ~RICO’S DINER~, a neighborhood favorite, has closed and been sold. You can view the goodbye note in a picture on Yelp. As my reader said, “This place has always been a solid choice for lunch and will be missed.” 400 15th St. at Franklin.